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Cassel to start for Minnesota instead of Bridgewater

Cassel to start for Minnesota instead of Bridgewater

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) runs out of the tunnel with his teammates prior to action against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (David Eulitt/MCT)

SportsNetwork.com

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN — Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told the team Monday that Matt Cassel will be their starting quarterback when they take the field Sept. 7 at St. Louis.

The 32-year-old Cassel beat out rookie Teddy Bridgewater.

“We will hold the quarterback position to the expectation that we hold all positions. If you perform, you’ll play,” said Zimmer.

Cassel, who began the 2013 season behind Christian Ponder, completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in nine games (six starts) last season.

The USC product completed 26-of-39 passes for 367 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and a 103.3 rating in the preseason.

Bridgewater, the No. 32 overall pick from Louisville, connected on 26-of-40 passes for 266 yards with four touchdowns during the preseason.

“I told Teddy this morning that it was not anything he did or didn’t do,” said Zimmer.

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